I just had an espresso at Cup and asked the barista "
So why are you so fussy about your coffee?". His big blue eyes widened and with the sweetest look of complete confusion answered "
Because it's gotta taste as good as possible".
While that might seem fair enough in and of itself, I should probably explain what I mean by the guys at Cup being fussy.
First of all they get their coffee from some weird and wonderful places (I like to imagine them in their rolled up tight jeans wadding through mucky jungles with precious, precious bags of coffee strapped to their backs), then they roast it themselves.
Up the back of the Scandinavian flavoured garage store there is a very trendy looking Probat L5 (German roasting machine of amazing). Of course there is also the science and black magic that is the blending of the beans.
Today I asked what the blend was; I kind of zoned out about ten minutes into the explanation but it involved "
10-15% natural dried single source Ethiopian, the natural drying process semi ferments between the outer shell and the bean and gives the bean a brown sugar flavour". They take this step pretty seriously. Then of course there is the grinding and finally the actual making of the coffee. No push button machine at Cup, they have a Slayer espresso machine. No nothing to do with vampires (although perhaps this is why they're up so late at night?), the Slayer is a piece of art; gorgeous art deco-esque design with a bewildering system of polished wooden toggles and nozzles that, in the right hands, produces an absolutely delicious cup of coffee.
My espresso was smooth and chocolaty, with a distinct berry flavour and a raspy finish; kind of like being kissed by a boy with a soft mouth and a big bushy beard (I mean that in a really good way).
Cup also has a good food menu (who knew that smashed broad beans could be so tasty?) and it's a pretty comfy place to hang out; you have a good people watching spot onto Russell Street, indoor and outdoor seating, some fun art and a relaxed vibe. But when it comes down to it, these kids are all about the bean and I have to agree; sometimes it's good to be fussy.
